27.1.2026
France has passed a bill banning under-15s from social media, which, among other measures, will prohibit mobile phones in schools.
Lawmakers approved the legislation on Monday, just days after the UK’s House of Lords backed a social media ban for under-16s.
The bill passed through the divided French National Assembly by 130 votes to 121 and will be discussed by the French Senate in the coming weeks.
French President Emmanuel Macron has asked for the legislation to be fast-tracked, so that it could be in place by the start of the next school year in September.
“Banning social media for those under 15: this is what scientists recommend, and this is what the French people are overwhelmingly calling for,” he said after the vote.
“Because our children’s brains are not for sale — neither to American platforms nor to Chinese networks. Because their dreams must not be dictated by algorithms.”
The bill complies with the European Union’s Digital Services Act, designed to keep internet users safe.
France’s health watchdog reported in December that 90 per cent of children between 12 and 17 years old use smartphones daily to access the internet.
Around 58 per cent of them used their devices for social networks.
The report highlighted the harmful effects this could have, including reduced self-esteem and increased exposure to harmful content.
This is not the first time France has acted to limit children’s phone use. In 2018, the country passed a law banning phone use in all primary and middle schools.
Last year, Australia became the first country to restrict children’s online access.
From December 10, young Australians were blocked from accessing sites such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat.
The Australian government says almost five million social media accounts have been deactivated after the law came into effect. Agency reports
U-15 social media ban in force.